Manuel Pellegrini: 'Qualifying for knockout stages not impossible'

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has vowed that his side will continue to fight for a place in the Champions League knockout stages following their latest setback.

The Citizens remain with just two points to their name in Group E, having failed to win any of their four games to date.

Last night's 2-1 home defeat to CSKA Moscow, which comes just a fortnight after City saw a two-goal lead slip against the same opponents, leaves Pellegrini's charges in a desperate position at the bottom of the standings.

"You have the mathematical option to qualify, you must fight for it," the Chilean boss is quoted as saying by FIFA.com.

"We must first try to play against QPR, then we have the international break, and then we are going to try to qualify for the next stage. It is more difficult, but it is not impossible."

City host leaders Bayern Munich later this month, before rounding off their group campaign away at Roma.